Sashiko Visible Mending

Visible Mending celebrates resourcefulness and sustainability. This workshop will highlight the act of mending and textile repair with Sashiko Japanese Embroidery. With humble beginnings in rural Japan, Sashiko’s running stitch insulated work garments for warmth and longevity. Moving into contemporary times around the globe, the bold, geometric beauty of Sashiko continues to both strengthen and decorate fabrics. Students will learn how to finish frayed edges, patch a rip or hole, prepare their distressed textile in order to draw a Sashiko pattern over it. Most importantly, participants will employ the “small stabs” Sashiko stitching technique to repair or embellish their project!

Students are asked to bring in a few personal items to assess for mending or decorating. Ideally, areas to repair will be no more than four inches. Medium-weight, woven cotton fabrics work best; such as denim jeans, cotton or linen shirts, pants, cotton dresses. If desired, students may simply practice a Sashiko pattern or two on sampler patches provided.

Class kit includes; one pair of Olympus Sashiko needles, one skein of Olympus Sashiko thread, needle threader, marking pen or pencil, fabric patches, instruction guide.